Since its inception the Firm has had a very strong Admiralty practice. The Firm has recently been involved in acting for various parties in the famous ‘Tasman Spirit’ oil spill case which involved litigation in the English and Pakistan Courts. The Firm also routinely undertakes matters involving the arrest of vessels and other admiralty and shipping issues.

Banking and Finance

The Firm has long been recognised as one of the market leaders in the field of banking, finance and financial services. The Firm has experience and the ability to deal with a wide range of financing matters . The Firm’s financial and banking practice includes acquisitions, project finance, asset finance, securitization, Islamic finance and export credit backed financing. The Firm has been involved in a large number of complex transactions in the financial and banking sector involving banks, export credit agencies, multilateral institutions, Islamic banks and financial institutions and Government agencies.

Capital Markets

The Firm was involved with the setting up of the Central Depository Company of Pakistan and assisted in developing the regulatory framework for its establishment and operations. The Firm has advised clients on wide range of matters including GDRs, IPOs, TFCs and listing of securities. The Firm also regularly advises clients on the legal and regulatory framework for foreign investment in the capital markets of Pakistan.

Competition

With the passage of the Competition Ordinance, 2007, there has been a significant change in competition regulation and new requirements, mergers, acquisitions and agreements have been introduced. Competition law compliance has become a key element in many transactions. The Firm has and continues to be involved in dealing with issues arising from the introduction of this new law and has participated in ‘round table’ discussions with the regulator. As part of its transactional work the Firm has assisted Clients in identifying clearances and exemptions needed and in obtaining the relevant clearances and exemptions.

Construction and Real Estate

The Firm advises a number of Clients involved in construction and real estate matters. The Firm’s practice covers advice on property acquisition, rental and as a security for finance. We have advised property developers, infrastructure providers hotel owners and others in this context. The Firm’s practice also encompasses advice on a wide range of construction matters and contracts including FIDIC based contracts.

Corporate and Commercial

General corporate and commercial work is at the core of the Firm’s practice and all lawyers in the Firm are required to develop an in depth knowledge of corporate and commercial law . The Firm represents a wide range of Clients in a variety of sectors to which it provides general corporate and regulatory advice as well as advice on specific transactions and arrangements.

Dispute Resolution and Alternate Dispute Resolution

The Firm deals with all types of contentious matters including civil litigation, arbitrations and mediation covering a broad range of industries. A Joint Senior Partner heads this area with over 28 years of experience and is supported by a dedicated team which has successfully acted for major domestic and overseas clients. The Firm has also worked (with or without the participation of overseas Counsel) in international arbitrations.

Employment

As part of its general practice, the Firm regularly advises on a broad spectrum of employment matters including employee share option schemes, employment contracts, worker funds, provident, gratuity and pension funds and voluntary separation schemes and golden handshakes.

Energy

The Firm has a very well established energy practice encompassing oil and gas and electrical power generation. The Firm’s practice includes upstream oil and gas work in connection with exploration, concession and operating agreements and licences.In the mid stream energy sector, the Firm has been involved with the contracts relating to long distance pipelines and acts for a number of refineries and is currently advising in connection with the establishment of a new refinery. The Firm also regularly represents the largest oil marketing company in the country. The firm has also been involved in advising on aspects of a proposed transnational gas pipeline.

The Firm has been involved in various agreements relating to electrical power generation projects including, on behalf of IPPs (Independent Power Producers) , its suppliers and contractors as well as Implementation Agreements with the Government of Pakistan and Power Purchase Agreements with the relevant power purchaser. The Firm is also involved in electrical power projects in the alternative energy sector and is currently advising in connection with wind power projects.

Foreign Investment

Since its inception the Firm has had been involved in advising foreign investors in relation to their investments in Pakistan. This involves extensive advise on the regulatory regime in Pakistan including foreign exchange controls. The Firm also has extensive experience in joint venture arrangement with foreign investors and advises regularly on royalty and technical service agreements. The Firm acts for a number of international franchises with a presence in Pakistan as well as joint ventures established to develop commercial and industrial projects in Pakistan.

Insurance

The Firm has broad based expertise in the Insurance sector ranging from advising clients on the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the insurance business in Pakistan, to advising clients on insurance contracts and litigation involving insurance claims. The Firm has recently advised on the incorporation, setting up and licensing of a Life Assurance Company in Pakistan. The Firm has also advised clients on implications of terrorism related claims and is also handling ensuing litigation based on such claims.

International Trade and WTO

The Firm advises on a broad range of legal aspects of international trade. The Firm’s practice includes advising clients in relation to WTO/anti-dumping matters and representing clients before the National Tariff Commission in anti-dumping proceedings and matters relating to tariff protection/assistance.

Mergers and Acquisitions

The Firm has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and is continuously involved in many of the major mergers and acquisition transactions in Pakistan. Pakistan’s first ever employee buy out was structured and implemented by the Firm.

Projects

The Firm has vast projects experience having been involved in projects ranging for setting up of industrial projects in several sectors, including fertilizers, cement, oil terminals, food/grain terminals, electrical power generation plants, mass transit projects etc.

Privatisation

The Firm has been involved in several major privatisation transactions, notably in the electrical power, downstream petroleum and other sectors. The Firm’s privatization practice has included acting for financial advisors on the sell side and for bidders on the buy side.

Telecommunications

The Firm has assisted a number of foreign and Pakistan clients on telecommunication matters including advice in obtaining licenses and consents to act as service providers. The Firm also regularly advises local and foreign clients on telecommunication issues and deals with the regulatory authorities. The Firm has advised in connection with several acquisitions and divestments in telecommunication related matters.